Thursday, March 12, 2015

Travelling to Disney - Pre-Arrival Tips

With our Disney trip almost two months away, I thought I would post some planning tips prior arriving at Disney. I suppose anyone can relate these tips to a vacation anywhere too!


1. Reserve or Confirm your Magical Express Airport Transfer. Disney's Magical Express is a service available to guests who stay on Walt Disney World property at the resorts. This service will pick your family up at the airport to your resort and take you from the resort to the airport for your departure. You can make a reservation either when you book your trip directly through Disney or by submitting a request via an online reservation form up to 10 days before your arrival date. 


Once your request has been confirmed, Disney will send information and luggage tags prior to your arrival. We LOVE using the provided luggage tags as Disney will wait in baggage claim to take your bags for you to your Disney Resort room! Just make sure you do not need anything from inside them as you will not have access to your bags until they are delivered to your room. 


2. Online Check-In Service. Pre-registering online will simplify your arrival at the Disney World Resorts. You can check in online 60 days prior to your arrival. Then, when you arrive at your hotel, simply head to the Online Check-In Desk where your packet/folder will be waiting. You will need to show valid photo ID and you are on your way! Some resorts even have cast members waiting outside the Disney Magical Express stop to speed up your check in process even more!


3. Make Dining Reservations. Popular restaurants fill up quickly, so be sure to make reservations in advance of your arrival. Dining reservations are accepted up to 180 days prior to check-in (6 months). You can book reservations several ways - through your My Disney Experience app or website account, or over the phone directly with Disney (407-939-3463). 

In addition, if you are celebrating a special occasion, call ahead if you would like to have a cake or special arrangement delivered. Most of these special requests require a minimum of 48 hours notice. Call 407-827-2253 to place an order. 

4. Make the Most out of your MyMagic+. Make sure you have an account through My Disney Experience and download the My Disney Experience App. This will allow you to modify any of your Disney reservations, including Dining and FastPass+ experiences. 


Make sure to pre-order your MagicBands. MagicBands are fantastic because you will be able to travel the parks much lighter! MagicBands will act as your room key, theme park & water park pass, your check in for FastPass+, connect all of your families PhotoPass pictures and your room charge so you can charge your meals and merchandise directly to your room. We LOVE the MagicBands and the freedom they offer. 

And you cannot forgot Disney FastPass+ Service. FastPass+ lets you reserve access to select attractions, entertainment, character meet and greets and special viewing areas for parades and fireworks. These reservations can be made up to 60 days prior to your arrival. This way, you can select your family's favorite attractions, times you will be in the park, in order to ensure you will get on the attraction. Up to three attractions maybe selected for one park each day. See the Disney website for choices and attraction tiers. 

5. If you are staying for an extended period or require a lot of hard goods, but do not want to pay airline baggage fees, order groceries and goods ahead of time! Although we have never paid for this service, we have heard excellent feedback, especially for families with babies that require diapers  and wipes. There are several grocery providers that are approved to deliver goods to Walt Disney World Properties. Consult directly with Disney regarding your needs and an approved provider. 

6. Make any equipment reservations necessary for your party. This could include strollers, wagons, oxygen tanks, electric scooters, etc. Similar to the grocery service, there are several service providers that are approved by Disney and will drop off the equipment directly to your resort. This is highly recommended as the Disney rentals are first come, first serve AND cannot be used outside of the location rented. For example, if you rent a scooter from Magic Kingdom Guest Services, you cannot leave the park with it. 

I hope leaving you with these tips will help make your Disney trip planning less stressful! In addition to the above tips, an Ellegant Decor Disney World Vacation planner can also help track all of your reservations, rentals and park planning in one place! Newly released is a special Microsoft Excel file to assist in planning out your Disney Dining Plan credits! Check out all of the planners here!




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